Explosive Kennedy joins wolfpack

WORCESTER Wolves head coach Paul James has expressed his delight at adding ‘explosive’ forward Jermel Kennedy to his new-look squad for the 2016/17 British Basketball League (BBL) campaign.

Kennedy, who is Wolves’ fifth summer signing, joins the club from Spanish team CB Clavijo Logrono, where he averaged 5.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game last season in LEB Gold.

He first gained experience playing for TV 1862 Langen in the 2013/14 German ProB, where he averaged 16.5 points and 7.2 boards per game.

A year later, Kennedy starred for AB Contern in Luxembourg’s Total League, before signing with top-flight Finnish team Porvoon Tarmo, where he racked up 18 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Kennedy then moved to Uruguayan side Club Atletico Marne Montevideo, where he averaged 17 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.

The forward holds a British passport and attended NCAA Division ll Lander University, who play in the Peach Belt Conference.

James said: “The club has worked very hard to secure the services of Jermel because we believe he has all the qualities that will contribute to making us a very good team next season.

“He’ll commit in many different ways and give us some great options. I believe his all-around game is perfectly suited to the BBL and I’m sure he’s going to have a great impact on the team and the league.”

Mick Donovan, Wolves’ managing director, said: “I’m sure Wolves fans will be excited to see Jermel join the club and hopefully show our ambition once again.

“He’s certainly a very explosive player, who has made a positive impact wherever he has gone.”

Kennedy joins new signings Danny Huffor, Marek Klassen, Trevor Setty and Deondre McWhorter as the club continues to recruit ahead of the forthcoming season.

Meanwhile, Wolves have also announced they have retained crowd favourite Ashton Khan for a second season.

The point guard joined the club last year and produced some outstanding performances in his rookie BBL campaign, averaging 8.6 points and three assists per game.

Khan said: “I’m so excited and happy to be a part of Wolves again.

“We have great pieces in place for the upcoming season and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and being a vocal leader as a returning player.”

A ‘thrilled’ James said: “Ashton is an important part of what we’re building this campaign.

“He has a season already under his belt and I expect even better things from him in the future.

“Ashton has made it very clear he is ready to fight for his court time with Marek Klassen.

“However, it’s significant that I can also see them playing together on court at the same time, which is a very exciting proposition for us and will offer even more options.”

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